Here’s how to nurture a love for reading in children

According to the Reading Panel 2030 report, 78% of Grade Four learners cannot read for meaning in any language.

The ability to read for meaning is a critical skill that remains elusive for many children. The statistics underscore the urgent need to foster a love of reading among children to ensure their academic success.

“Reading is an essential part of learning and personal growth,” says Kassandra Strydom, academic advisor: foundation phase at ADvTECH.

“It enhances vocabulary, improves comprehension and stimulates imagination. More importantly, reading is linked to better academic performance across all subjects.

“In a country where educational disparities are significant, promoting reading can be a powerful tool to bridge the gap and empower future generations.”

Keeping a child’s interest in reading can be challenging in a world dominated by social media and mobile devices. But Strydom stresses that fostering a love for reading rests with parents.

“While the Department of Education committed to addressing challenges identified in the report, Minister (of Education) Siviwe Gwarube stated that this mammoth task could not be left to educators alone,” she said.

“Schools and teachers play an important role in teaching students how to read, but few are equipped to instil a genuine love for reading when children begin formal education. This must be nurtured at home to create a supportive environment where students can thrive once they master their ABCs.”

Create a reading-friendly environment:
• Second-hand books are affordable, and libraries are free, thus making it easy for families to fill their homes with a variety of material that caters to their child’s interests and reading level.

• Take the time to choose books together. Doing this can be an exciting adventure that creates valuable parent-child bonding time.

• Engage in paired or shared reading experiences to enhance this connection.

• Create opportunities to read together in a relaxed and intimate setting, whether snuggled on the couch or curled up in bed.
This fosters a love for reading and connects the activity to quality time spent together.

• Model positive reading habits by setting aside daily dedicated reading time.

Use technology wisely:
• Excessive screen time can negatively affect children’s development. Balance screen time at home by implementing ‘reading timeouts’.

• There are many reading apps and platforms available for smart devices, but choosing those offering personal learning pathways that allow children to explore content beyond just reading is vital.

These apps can foster a deeper engagement with reading material by connecting it to real-world situations and encouraging critical thinking.

Make reading an interactive experience
• Encourage children to engage with books before diving into the text.
First, do ‘picture walks,’ where they can flip through pages and explore the illustrations.

This helps minimise distractions and prepares them for a more focused reading experience.

• Ask questions about the book.
Before reading, ask children what they think the story might be about, and always include a follow-up question to elaborate on how they came to that conclusion.

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